Island Wildlife Care

• Placement
  
  Wild life rehabilitation centre – Island Wildlife Care
• Airport Pickup
  
  
  We will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you to your Homestay accommodation nearby the project.
• Accommodation
  
  A Private room in a Canadian homestay nearby the volunteer project
• Meals
  
  3 meals a day included (possible catering available for vegetarians)
• Mail-holding service
  
  You can use FRONTEERINGS office as a reliable address to have your mail delivered
• Ongoing service
  
  If there are any problems with your volunteer project we are always there to help you and mediate between yourself and the organization.
• Tours
  
  Through FRONTEERING you have the possibility to book tours in Canada after you have finished your volunteer project.
• 24/7 Emergency contact
  
  If there are any problems during you stay in Vancouver you can reach us 24/7 to assist you.

This is a fast paced, intense, and physically demanding environment. Four hour shifts pass quickly due to regular feedings that must be kept on schedule and endless cleaning duties. Volunteers help with bottle feeding young mammals and hand feeding young birds, preparing diets for self feeding animals, cleaning and enriching animal cages, and general cleaning around the facility such as dishes, laundry, and washpad. Volunteers that are handy with tools may also help fix or build cages and other structures. Volunteers work both individually and as a team to complete the required tasks. Depending on your experience and duration you may not be allowed to handle certain animal species.

• Feed and care for different kind of animals including mammals and birds
• Build and maintain animal enclosures
• Assist with capture and release
• Educate the public

Animal rescue and rehabilitation is fundamental to the continued conservation and protection of Canada’s diverse mammals and bird species which all need your help. This program offers volunteers ages 19-30 to help in many areas of wildlife rehabilitation. Projects are diverse and include activities such as feeding injured animals, administering medical treatments, cleaning and fixing cages, maintaining observation records, equipment maintenance, office work, answering telephones, and of course leaning about what it takes to care for animals smaller mammals and birds!

• Required to commit for 8 weeks (due to the short duraiton you will not be able to handle larger species)
• Must complete 2-4 days of training and shadow a senior volunteer before starting independent shifts
• NO SMOKING is allowed on the property.
• Strong work ethics are required: reliable, responsible, honest, good sense of humour, dependable, physically and mentally fit.
• Age: 18+
• No animal allergies
• The care of animals must be secured around the clock and work may include night shifts
• Extreme Weather (heat & cold), dirt and living in a remote area must be something you can handle.
• A love for animals and some general experience of caring for an animal is a must!
• Must read and agree to abide by guidelines and ethics
• Proof of current tetanus shot & medical insurance; Good physical stamina and health
• Good communication skills and the ability to work alone
• Good knowledge of the English
• Patient and comfortable around mammals and birds
• A valid driver’s license would be an asset, but is not required

• A unique opportunity to work closely with wildlife and participate in offering them a chance of survival.
• Expand knowledge and skills in animal care
• Increase knowledge of local wildlife species, ecology, and urban wildlife management.

• Project location
  

  Western Canada, Vancouver Island

• Area Famous For
  
  Black Bears, Mountains, Skiing, Surfing, Fishing, Whale Watching Pacific rainforest, friendly people, first nation cultures
• When to visit
  
  All year round, in summer great for hiking, whale watching, water activities and in the winter to visit one of the nearby skiing areas. The project needs your help all year round however the most busy seasons is from March to September due to many oprhaned baby animals needing your help!
• Wildlife viewing
  
  Excellent: in the nearby surroundings: bald eagles, seals, black bears, humpback whales, killer whales, coyotes, deer, skunks, raccoons.

Day 1 - Arrive in Victoria;
You will arrive in Victoria the capital of the Canada’s British Columbia province. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Homestay near the volunteer project.
For 8 weeks - Help, rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured animals!
For the coming 8 weeks you will have a great time working directly with many different kind of animals while be surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and nature!
Your last day - you will transfer back to Victoria to take a flight back home. Of course it is possible to extend your stay in Canada and travel around or visit Vancouver; we can help you with trips and/or accommodation you would like to arrange.

Your Homestay accommodation will be arranged by FRONTEERING near the volunteer project.
Homestay: live with a Canadian family and includes your own bedroom, laundry facility in the house, wireless internet, cable TV and 3 meals a day. Of course you can also make use of the living room, kitchen and washroom. It’s a great way to get to know the real Greater Vancouver Area and improve your English.

Things to bring from home

• Clothes for cold temperatures as well as for summer for warm temperatures. Make these clothes are allowed to get dirty. Make sure to bring gloves, a toque and warm socks with you.
• Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and you should also pack a raincoat and some sun block
• Linen and towels will be provided.

Meals

You will be provided with 3 meals a day, specific catering available on request only.

Location

The volunteer project is located 15 minutes by bicycle from the town centre. It is a small coastal community (fewer than 5000 people) in Western Greater Victoria, British Columbia. Many small farmers live here (vegetables, orchards, poultry, sheep, some pigs and cattle).
Whether it is enjoying the nature, going to the nearby coast and enjoying the sea or visiting the beautiful city of Victoria (The capital of BC), there is plenty to do near the volunteer station. There is also good connection for a multiday visit to Vancouver.